US678107A - Fastener for shoe-laces. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Iuly 9, I90I.

.1. B jnooPEn. FASTENER FUR SHOE LACES.

{Application led In'. 28, 1901.) (No Model.)

UNITEDY STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

JAMES B. HOOPER, OF MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTENER FOR SHOE-LACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,107, dated July 9, 1901.

Y Application filed March 26,1901. `Serial No. 52,928. (No model.)

To all whom it' may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. HOOPER, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Melrose, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Fasteners for Strings, Shoe-Laces, &c., of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a simple, cheap, and effective device of novel construction for fastening or holding in place the free or loose end of a shoe-lace, glove, or corset-string without the aid of knots or enlargements in the lace or string.

The fastener can be readily applied to the shoe-upper or other analogous article, and cooperates preferably with the endmost eyelet of the series through which the lace passes. l Figure l is an inner side view of the front iiaps of a shoe-upper or other analogous article with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the fabric and the attached fastener, the latter being shown in locking position. Fig. 3 is a like View, but with the fastener unlocked to release the lace or string. Fig. 4 is aview of a modified form of fastener in use, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section thereof. n

Referring to Figs. 1,2, and 3, the fastener consists of a thin liat metallic plate orbody a, preferably decreasing in Width toward one end and having projecting therefrom at its under side or facea rigid locking-prong a',

preferably made slightly `tapering or frustoconical, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The larger end a2 of the body has a hole a3 therein to receive an eyelet e, of usual construction, by means of which the body is secured to the supporting fabric.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the upper ends ofl the front iaps F F of a shoe-upper each provided with a series of lacing-eyelets, through which the lace bx is passed, a single lace being shown. The fasteneris applied to the inner side of one of the flaps, as F, in such af position that the prong a' is opposite the endinost eyelet f of the series and the attachingeyelet e may conveniently be the next eyelet of such series. The free end of the lace is passed through the eyeletf from the outside and when drawn properly taut the free end of the fastener-body ot is pressed against the liap F to force the prong a. into the eyelet f, clamping or wedging the lace tightly therein, as in Fig. 2. Manifestly strain on the lace will only serve to 'more firmly wedge the prong and the lace into the eyelet, while to release the lace a pull on its free end instantly withdraws the prong, as in Fig. 3, the resiliency of the body a permitting such withdrawal. It will be noticed that when thefastener is in use it lies perfectly at against the ap and presents no obstruction or enlargement to annoy the wearer of the shoe. If desired, the attached end of the fastenerbody may be inserted beneath the lining m through a slit mx, Fig. 1, and the breadth of the body as it rests against the supporting fabric provides for a firm support. To apply the fastener to a completed shoe, the second eyelet from the end of the series can be removedand replaced by the attaching-eyelet e, or a smaller eyelet may be used to attach' tion wherein the thin flat resilient body d has i at its free end the locking-prong ol', as before; but the opposite end is sharpened to form an attaching-prong d2, which is pressed into the supporting fabric F and clenched, and at or near the middle vof the bodya second pointed attaching-prong d3 is struck up, said prong d3 passing through the fabric and being clenched oppositely to the prong cl2. In this case the fastener is so located that its locking-prong d7 will be in position to enter the lace-eyelet fX to clamp the lace b therein.

The fastener may be used on shoes, gloves, corsets, or other articles wherein a fastening string or lace'is employed, and it may also be used in connection with a bag-tie, as will be readily understood.

The fastener is .exceedingly simple .in construction, and it can be easily and cheaply made. As it has no joints, hinges, or other relatively movable parts, it is very stron g and durable and cannot get out of order.

IOO

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent` is- 1. A fastener` for shoe-laces and the like, comprisinga Hat resilient metallic body adapted to rest at one end directly upon the shoeupper or analogous article, and having at its free end a locking-prong projecting from its under side and adapted to enter anrordinary lacing-eyelet and clamp or wedge therein the lace or string passed therethrough, and means independent of the said eyelet for securing the end of the body directly to the shoe-upper or analogous article.

2. A fastener for shoe-laces and the like, comprisingaflat resilient metallic bod yadapted to rest at one end directly upon the shoeupper or analogous article, and having at its JAMES B. IIOOPER.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. KEATING, D. K. CALLAMORE.

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